Letters to the Editor, June 1

Regarding “Biologists try to detect what’s killing whales” (May 27): To borrow from an idiom, could the 40-ton humpback in the room that might explain the recent preponderance of dead whale carcasses washing ashore in Northern California be climate change? Marine biologists might attribute the recent “die-off” to migration patterns, recent population increases or ship collisions. But with warming ocean temperatures and overfishing, food sources are moving to different locations.

Migratory animals like whales have had to change their usual routes in order to survive. Other possible explanations for these whale deaths are sonar and pollution, which are also man-made. In trying to solve the “mystery” of these deaths, it might be wise to consider the words of William Shakespeare (from “Julius Caesar”): “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Julian Grant, Pacifica

Warriors, families show class

Isn’t it refreshing to see NBA players celebrating with their families and children, instead of seeing them being arrested for carrying guns into nightclubs? The Golden State Warriors are the example for the rest of the league. Besides, the kids are really cute!

Jeanne Bishop, San Leandro

Negative political campaigns

There have been several letters regarding the articles concerning the election of Steve Glazer citing labor union demise, campaign funding from outside sources as well as low voter turnout for the election. I believe the voters in that district were so turned off by the negative campaigns of both candidates that most boycotted the state Senate election. Not one piece of literature I received informed me of what the candidate’s platform included.

John Hopper, Walnut Creek

Computer-based assessment

Regarding “Tests go smoothly — results might not” (May 29): The Chronicle has done an admirable job of describing the differences between the old state tests and the new Common Core-based tests given for the first time this year. However, when the results come out, The Chronicle will no doubt prominently publish those test scores by Bay Area school and districts as it has in the past. I hope those scores will be prefaced with a clear statement that they were produced by a completely new computer-based performance assessment, not the fill-in-the-bubble paper and pencil tests of the old state test.

The publication of these new test scores should not be compared with the same school’s or district’s previous test scores in any way since there is no valid comparison between old and new. The Chronicle can do the public a great service by making it clear that such comparisons are like apples and oranges.

Paul Giganti, Albany

Responsibility for anthrax

Regarding “Feds looking into anthrax lapse” (May 29): The Army sends out live anthrax, and it’s not human error? Then what is a failure to double-check the inactivation process, fate? Even products like milk and meat are checked before shipment; medicines and drugs are tested after preparation but before shipment. Failure to adequately check a “technical process” that could ship potentially deadly disease agents is human error, either in the testing or in setting the procedures that don’t check well enough.

Army chief of staff Gen. Ray Odierno is reported saying: “It was not human error ... adding that normal procedures had been followed.” Such reasoning is frightening in any authority, and further reveals a sense of responsibility that would be inadequate in a 7-year-old.

Miriam Mueller, San Francisco

Flooding fury during drought

I’m no meteorologist, but I know wishful thinking when I hear it. According to some weather experts, the same El Niño condition that is wreaking havoc in Texas right now could signal an end to California’s four-year drought this year. I have watched the news accounts of the massive flooding in Houston, Texas and other parts of the Lone Star state. It’s devastating to see entire towns under water. While we desperately need rain here, we don’t need 40 percent of it running into the ocean. That said, California needs better ways of capturing rain water, not pie-in-the-sky thinking about the vagaries of Mother Nature. With this thought in mind, isn’t it time for a no-nonsense, forward-thinking state water czar? His or her No. 1 priority must be to make sure California has the water it needs to remain the eighth largest economy in the world. This isn’t just about economics. It’s also about national security. The sooner people realize this the better. It’s one thing to hope for better days.

Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach

Abortion inquiry on fetus

Regarding “Appeals court rejects ban on abortions after 12 weeks” (May 28) on the discussion of the viability standard, or when a fetus can survive outside the womb to determine appropriate limits for abortion. Whether it’s 24 weeks or 28, the standard set in Roe vs. Wade, one question seems to be missing: When does a fetus feel? When does it become aware? I’m pro-choice, but I’m anti-pain. It’s not enough to consider simple fetal survival capabilities as the criteria for limits to end a pregnancy. The age at which a fetus is aware, and can feel pain, should also be included as a determining factor.

Michael Haworth, Vallejo

Benefiting from tax revenue

Regarding “Politicians: Do not touch Prop. 13” (Letters, May 26). I am sure that every California politician knows that rule. What most people do not realize is that Prop. 13 applies to every piece of privately owned real estate; besides our houses, every office building, shopping mall, factory and oil refinery in the state. It is one thing to help the poor, low-income worker struggling to pay for his modest house but quite another to provide equal protection to the Chevron Oil Refinery, for example. Why not keep Prop. 13 for those at the bottom of the economic spectrum but end it for those at the top? The added tax revenue could be used for better health care, schools and transportation and solar energy for every home in the state. We would all benefit.

Burt Rodgers, Walnut Creek

Tackling Prop. 13 ‘idiocies’

Finally, some politicians have the gumption to tackle the idiocies of Prop. 13 exemptions. Despite the railing of some letter writers, there should be changes to the residential exemptions. When my father died, I could have retained his properties without incurring a recalculated tax rate. I’m not talking about a family farm, I’m talking about rental properties from which the family received income and deductions for 40 years. How is that fair?